Transmission TechnologySponsored by

A Special eBook Supplement

to Radio World
TRANSMISSION TECHNOLOGY
What is the state of affairs in transmission technology? In this eBook, Radio World
contributors explore three topics of particular current interest.
Hubbard Broadcasting’s Marshall Rice in St. Louis was the first engineer to put
ERI’s new High-Power HD Radio FM Analog/IBOC Diplexer to work. He talks with
Radio World Technical Adviser Tom McGinley about the installation at two Class C
FM stations.
U.S. FM stations won the ability about three years ago to seek higher
digital power injection levels. I asked several people with experience in
this area to comment about the impact of the change to date. Transmission Technolo
And radio transmitter makers constantly search for improvements in gy
efficiency. Radio World contributor Stephen Poole asks how designers
Sponsored by

have accomplished more and what we can expect in the future.

An eBook is an electronic publication read on a laptop, mobile
device or computer. In our first eBook, Radio World explored trends in
how radio organizations are bringing remote audio back to the studio.
In future eBooks, we’ll look at trends and tips in other areas of radio
station operations.
Let me know your thoughts about how we can make these handy
reference guides more useful to you!

— Paul McLane A Special eBook

Supplement

Editor in Chief
to Radio World

pmclane@nbmedia.com

Cover art: © istockphoto / Zuki

Story Index
3 10 16

Creative High- What’s Up In Search of

Power Digital With HD Radio Efficiency,
Combining Power? 1% at a Time

2 Transmission Technology Radio World eBook

Creative High-Power Digital Combining
Hubbard’s Marshall Rice discusses his (20 kW or more) analog and HD (more than 2 kW) FM
signals from separate transmitters with minimal losses,”
experience with ERI’s new combiner said Harland. “The only approach more efficient to im-
plementing hybrid FM HD services is using a dual-input
By Thomas R. mcGinley FM antenna or separate FM antennas.”
The magic of the 788 is performed by separating the
Increasing HD power to levels above –20 dBc for HD sideband pairs from the analog center portion of
high-power FM stations has presented engineers with the FM channel passband using precision-tuned very
a challenging set of options and tradeoffs. Unless sepa- high Q cavities and 3 dB hybrids. The HD and analog
rate digital and analog transmitters feed a dual-input components are then recombined at the 788 output to
or separate antennas, some method of combining the feed the antenna or multiplexer.
digital and analog signals must be used. Vari-
ous HD combining schemes have been devel-
oped and implemented since the introduction
of HD Radio.
The simplest combiner is the transmitter
itself, but choosing that option requires run-
ning in the low-efficiency linear mode. At high
power levels, that usually requires larger trans-
mitters and primary power hardware that in-
flict much higher electricity bills for both the

Courtesy Marshall Rice/Hubbard Radio

less-efficient transmitter and the extra air con-
ditioning needed to remove the waste heat.
Combining separate digital and analog
transmitters into a common antenna has
proven to offer the most desirable solution for
many stations that have deployed HD Radio.
The 10 dB high-level injector and the 4.77 to
6 dB split-level combiner systems have served
many stations reasonably well at –20 dBc HD
power levels. But those stations wanting to The hD combiner room for 101.1 WXos and 92.3 Wil.
take advantage of higher HD powers up to –10
dBc to improve HD coverage and penetration are look- All other HD combiner designs waste the majority of
ing for a better solution. the digital transmitter’s power output in a dump load.
The average HD power loss with the 788 is only 1.4 dB.
The 788 At the higher HD power levels that stations now want to
Electronics Research Inc. has pioneered many RF deploy, maximizing system efficiencies and being able
combining solutions for industry and government. to send most of the digital power into the antenna is of
Along with its FM bandpass multiplexer combiners and primary importance.
the 10 dB HD injector, ERI has offered the iBox family of
constant impedance combiners. First installation
The manufacturer began working on a unique high- Hubbard Broadcasting owns and operates two Class
efficiency HD combiner almost five years ago and in- C FMs in St. Louis that it wanted to equip with maximum
troduced the 788 all-pass technology at this year’s NAB HD power; these became the first stations to install the
Show. The design is really a special class of the familiar 788 combiner. We talked with Marshall Rice, the market
FM bandpass multiplexer combiner that employs res- engineering director, about their new high-power HD
onant cavities and 3 dB hybrids used in multi-station operations.
community FM antenna systems. Rice said Hubbard researched its options to allow the
We talked with Bill Harland, ERI’s VP of marketing, and power levels it needed. The few combiners it did find,
Robert Rose, ERI vice president of antenna engineer- including another model from ERI, produced group de-
ing and principal designer of the 788 about this break- lay that exceeded iBiquity specifications and produced
through product. much higher analog power losses. In fact, he said, “We
“The market need prompting the development of the had to delay the 788 installation while they completed
788 was to provide a method of combining high-power continued on page 7

Radio World eBook Transmission Technology 3

Transmission Technology –
Implications of Expanded Low
Power FM Broadcast
Tim Anderson, Harris Broadcast
N
ow more than ever, there is a great deal of
interest among broadcasters and RF network
operators in purchasing transmitter systems
that offer lower total cost of ownership and
improved performance.
As energy costs increase, there is a greater focus
on energy efficiency and “green solutions”, even at
relatively low power. With the global proliferation of
Flexiva 2kW – 3kW – 3.5kW
low-power FM and the evolution from analog to digital
radio, broadcasters are demanding higher efficiency,
lower purchase costs, smaller footprints and lower
maintenance costs in order to reduce the overall cost of
ownership during a transmitter’s lifetime. Broadcasters
world-wide expect low-cost solutions without sacrific-
ing performance, functionality, flexibility or reliability.
Delivering these solutions has driven significant advanc-
es in transmitter system technology. Recent innova-
tions in transistors, RF amplifier design, power supply
technology and RF combining techniques have brought
about quantum leaps in output power density and effi-
ciency to a new generation of solid-state transmitters.
The end result is lower purchase and operating costs
with improved RF performance and robustness.
The introduction of Latterly Diffused Metal-Oxide
Semi-Conductor Field Effect Transistors (LDMOS-FETs)
has revolutionized RF amplifier designs. These rug-
ged devices have been successfully used in the most
demanding industrial, scientific and medical (ISM)
applications. The latest generation of devices, specifi-
cally developed for use in VHF FM RF amplifiers realiz-
es twice the power per device in half the space, while
boasting higher DC-RF efficiency and lowering cooling
requirements. In addition, these amplifiers take advan-
tage of the LDMOS-FET’s high gain and ample peak-
power headroom to accommodate the peak power
demands of digital waveforms such as HD Radio™.
A new generation of small, high-efficiency, switch-
ing power supply modules capable of operation over
a wide range of voltages and line conditions, are
employed in today’s transmitters. Developed for the
telecom industry, these supplies are extremely rugged
with mean time to failure measured in the hundreds-
of-thousands of hours. These power supplies are
capable of providing up to 3000 Watts of power to the
amplifiers at 98 percent AC-DC efficiency
 The use of N-way Wilkinson-Gysel RF amplifier combin-
ing topologies employing low-loss coaxial cables and
integrated low-pass filtering for impedance match-
ing provides a very efficient output network with the
added benefit of excellent redundancy in the face of
one or more amplifier failures. This architecture also
affords higher power in a relatively smaller combiner
module than other methods.
The higher efficiency of the LDMOS-FET devices,
reduces the overall power dissipation while the lower
Flexiva 300W – 500W – 1kW
junction-to-flange thermal resistance
makes these devices much easier to
cool than previous devices. However,
with the higher power densities, care-
ful consideration must be given to the
cooling system architecture. Direct
air impingement using small, variable
speed fans attached to pin-fin style
heat sinks provides efficient, indepen-
dent, cooling of each power amplifier module over the
operating range of the transmitter with headroom for
abnormal conditions such as VSWR or high ambient
temperatures.
With transmitter room space at a premium, multiple,
redundant transmitters are often housed in very
confined transmitter rooms, located in remote, inac-
cessible, places that are hostile environments. They
must be capable of tolerating extreme temperature
and power variations, less-than ideal, antenna sys-
tems, dust and dirt without traditional maintenance.
Controlling and protecting these systems requires
a higher degree of automation and self protection.
The control architecture of today’s transmitters
include Web management, SNMP (Simple Network
Management Protocol) for central network operations,
SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) to alert staff by
email if a problem occurs and N+1 capability allowing
a single backup transmitter to cover multiple stations.
Advertisement
This technology will continue to evolve incrementally,
but with the RF power transistors operating at around
1.25kW per device, at today’s practical limit, state-
of-the-art cooling solutions are required. New, exotic,
materials such as diamond semiconductors may offer
two or three times higher power densities, but with so
much more dissipation in even smaller packages, effi-
ciently cooling these devices will require new cooling
system architectures and materials.
Analog power amplifier efficiencies are nearing the
practical maximums dictated by
the FET’s structural switching
speed. New materials support-
ing higher switching speeds could
lead to the use of more efficient,
switching, amplification modes.
Efficiency enhancement technolo-
gies for digital broadcast systems
such as envelope tracking and
Doherty promise greater efficien-
cy and improved amplifier utiliza-
tion in the face of high crest fac-
Flexiva 50W – 150W
tor modulations. While these techniques provide little
advantage for today’s hybrid analog-digital HD Radio
signals, they promise efficiency benefit at such time as
HD Radio goes “all-digital”
Today’s developments are focused on improved ampli-
fier utilization through hybrid crest factor reduction
and adaptive pre-correction for HD Radio within the
modulator. Additional incremental improvements in
cooling control, and modulator efficiencies are expect-
ed to yield modest overall system efficiency gains
across all power levels.
www.broadcast.harris.com
 COMBINING, continued from page 3
KMPS (94.1 Mhz) Seattle WA This block diagram flow chart, left,
Model 788 High Efficiency, AllPass Combiner
Courtesy ERI

Analog & Digital Signals As shown, the upper and lower IBOC side signals reveal a distinctive curve to
their respective operating band summits. This characteristic is a normal function
Forced Air Cooled To Broadcast Antenna of the Cavities “Q” used in the AllPass design and varies with Digital IBOC
operation (i.e. MP1, MP3, and MP11, operating modes).
RF Load Resister
Budget Loss’s At Load Directional Coupler
(C3) Rev
Directional Coupler
(C4)
Analog: 2.5% Approx. Fwr Fwr H2 Hybrid, Port-4 Signal Phase Vectors
Digital: 12% Approx. -90 Deg. -90 Deg.
F1 (Analog FM) Phase Summation -180 Deg.
Output Hybrid Coupler F2 & F3 (Digital Side Bands) Phase Sunnation

Port-3 Port-4 -180 Deg.

Modules A&B acting together produce the following phase change:

H2
H2 Hybrid, Port-3 Signal Phase Vectors Signal Phase Vectors At Module B, Port-2
Port-1 Port-2 See Fig. 1A F2 F3
-0 Deg. F1
F1, Analog FM Phase Canceling

F2 & F3 (Digital Side Bands) Phase Canceling -90 Deg.

Phase Change Resulting From

-270 Deg. -90 Deg.

Phase Shifting Module B

Cavity B2
Module A & B Influence

Link-B, Connects H1 to H2 Hybrid Via. Modules A&B

Port-2
Link-A, Directly Connects H1 to H2 Hybrid

Analog F1 Band Region

HB

Lower (F2) Band

Upper (F3) Band

Cavity B1
Forward RF Flow Port-1
Fig.1A
Phase Adjuster

Transmission Phase Response Measured At Module B, Port-2

Rev Directional Coupler Port-2
Fwr

Phase Sifting Module A

Cavity A2
Note, Phase Change Resulting

Calibrated RF Directional Coupler From Module A Influrnce

Sample Points Are Located At Combiner

HA

Input & Output Ports And Are Provided

For Performance Proof And System

Analog Band Region

Monitoring.
Cavity A1

Lower (F2) Band

Upper (F3) Band

Port-1

Fig.1B
Port-3 Transmission Phase Response Measured At Module A, Port-2
Port-4

Signal Phase Vectors
(Figure 1A & 1B) There are two important operating considerations associated with the
utilization of the Phase Shifting Modules A & B. For example, when the lower Digital Band (F2
signal) passes through Module A it reverses its phase direction while having little variation to
both the Analog F1 signal and Digital F3 signal. Module B also varies phase, however only this
time, to F3 or the upper Digital signal with minimum effect to both the F 1 Analog and the
F1 F2 F3 H1 lower F2 Digital signal.

Port-1 Port-2

Signal Phase Vectors

Input Hybrid Coupler F1 F2 F3

½ Signal From Each Input Is

½ Signal From Each Input Is Directional Coupler Directional Coupler
Coupled to Port-4
Rev (C1) Rev (C2)
Coupled to Port-3

AllPass
Fwr Fwr

(By ERI)

Analog FM Input Digital IBOC Input Analog FM & Digital IBOC Combiner
+/- 75 kHz from center Patent Pending
397.166 kHz (Analog & Digital Occupied Channel)

Digital Sideband Bandwidths

MP1 Mode: 70 kHz wide (each band)
Analog Carrier Signal
F2 CL F3 MP3 Mode: 83 kHz wide (each band)

Analog Ref. Center C MP11 Mode: 97 kHz wide (each band)

L
F1
Digital, Upper & Lower Sideband Signals

Model 788, AllPass Combiner Specifications

Analog FM Input Digital Input
Efficiency: 93 % MP1 Mode MP3 Mode MP11 Mode
VSWR: 1.06:1 Efficiency: 78% 73% 67%
Isolation: 40dB to Digital VSWR: 1.06:1
Insertion Loss: -0.29dB (+/- 75kHz)* Insertion Loss*: -1.07 dB -1.35 dB -1.60 dB
Delay Variation: > 350ns (+/- 75kHz) (Note,1) Delay Variation*: 600ns 600ns 800ns
Power: Up to 49kW Isolation: 40dB to Analog FM
Power: Up to 7kW
* Integrated Over Channel Band
Note 1,
Although the Analog delay variation is respectable, a pre-corrector is (optionally) available to achieve an accentually flat Group Delay response.
Fig. 1
6 Transmission Technology Radio World eBook
tells the 788 story graphically.
some design tweaks and actually built the working unit.”
WIL(FM) and WXOS(FM) are 100 kW stations using 788
combiners that feed a common antenna. WIL runs IBOC
at –10 dBc with an analog TPO of 32.6 kW and a digital
TPO of 4.1 kW. WXOS operates at –12 dBc and with an
analog TPO of 34.4 kW and a digital TPO of 2.7 kW.
Hubbard was able to use existing transmitters for its
St. Louis HD power upgrades. “With the low system loss
of the 788, we were able to use the currently installed
IBOC transmitter to make the –12 dBc power level for
WXOS. WIL used a transmitter we moved from another
of our stations which had been high level combined, but
had needed a higher output,” Rice explained.
He outlined how the 788 upgrade installation pro-
ceeded: “The 788s are physically located in an adjoin-
ing room. We had to replumb all of the transmitters
which had been previously connected for high-level
combining through injectors with the associated reject
loads and bypass RF switches. We remained on this site
for the majority of the installation so we had a lot of relo-
cation and temporary routes. We also installed one 788
and then waited for the second to be built and tested.
“Overall I would say we spent about two weeks’ ac-
tual installation time. ERI was on-site for delivery and
tune up of each combiner and spent about two days on
each installation. The tuning process was tedious and
time-consuming since the cavities are temperature criti-
cal, but there weren’t any ‘oops moments,’” he said.
in the field
The very high Q resonant cavities are more tempera-
ture sensitive than those traditionally deployed in FM
multiplexers. Bill Harland explained that ERI had to
engineer a new compensation method that minimizes
frequency drift: “We initially had issues with the proto-
type unit’s drift performance. The prototype had prob-
lems where isolation would degrade as the temperature
changed. That is when we developed the temperature
compensation technique that is now used and opti-
mized with extensive temperature testing for every 788
that passes through production.”
The Hubbard 788 installation has performed well,
in spite of air conditioning issues this summer at their
transmitter plant. Rice explained, “The system is tem-
perature-critical and must be operated in a controlled
environment. We’ve struggled with maintaining a con-
stant temperature due to poor HVAC performance, but
not due to any significant demands of the 788. We had
HVAC failures this summer during the record heat waves
in the Midwest and on two occasions shut down the
HD transmitters as a precaution until the HVAC was re-
paired. We’ve never had a VSWR trip or other anomaly.”
FM multiplexer and combiner hardware can dissipate
considerable heat. Rice says, “The only hot spots on our
788s are the reject loads. They run about 110 degrees.
The cavities run about 88–90 degrees in room ambient
of 70 degrees. We have temperature sensors mounted
on the reject loads and on the fins of the cavities.”
Another factor of concern for optimal performance in
Radio World eBook
any FM transmission system is group delay. All systems
that use cavity multiplexers and combiners including
the 788 will exhibit a certain amount of group delay. If
the amount is excessive or is not symmetric because of
antenna response, synchronous AM noise, stereo sepa-
ration and SCA performance are adversely affected in
analog, while HD mask specs may not be met in digital.
Overall delay amounts of less than 400 nsec are typi-
cally judged as negligible.
Group delay compensation can be achieved at the
exciter level by installing an external passive filter set,
or by injecting the correction in the form of electronic
equalization, if available. The Hubbard stations chose to
use the hardware filter sets, also supplied by ERI. “They
thought the pre-correction would be needed, but we
The design is really a special
class of the familiar FM
bandpass multiplexer combiner
that employs resonant cavities
and 3 dB hybrids used in
multi-station community
FM antenna systems.
held off until measurements were made on site to con-
firm it. We had to install the pre-correction on both ana-
log exciters. The modules arrived pre-tuned and were
spot on,” said Rice.
Increasing HD power to provide better coverage and
penetration is becoming a higher priority for HD sta-
tions and stakeholder groups as HD receiver sales in-
crease, especially in additional new car brand offerings
that include HD Radio. Engineers we’ve polled who have
implemented higher HD power levels feel that every 3
dB of increase above –20 dBc provides an additional
worthwhile level of significant improvement.
Marshall Rice offers his observations on the Hubbard
station’s performance gains: “In driving tests just with
a car receiver, the digital is comparable to the analog
now. We used to see a lot of dropouts on the outer
contours. I plan on running more thorough field test-
ing soon. We haven’t noticed a significant difference
between the –12 dBc and –10 dBc signals.”
Regarding HD2 station performance improvement,
Rice says, “We have experienced much better coverage
continued on page 20
Transmission Technology 7
Transmitter Briefs
RF Toolkit Resources
How far is your signal going to go? What happens if you
change transmitter power, antenna location, or antenna
height and gain? Use a Free Radio Coverage Tool to create
colorful maps using different test scenarios. A new popu-
lation capability lets you determine what potential audi-
ence size your transmitter site could address.
Or, possibly you’d like to calculate a proposed IBOC power
increase using the Asymmetrical IBOC Sideband Elevated
Power Calculator from NPR Labs®
>> Go to Nautel’s FREE RF Toolkit <<
Multiple Broadcasters are
Saving Power Costs with MDCL
Four different broadcasters who are running MDCL on a
total of 11 transmitters share how easy it was to imple-
ment MDCL, which algorithm they used, the power savings
they experienced (from 20% to over 40%), and the zero
impact on station coverage and audio quality.
>> Read more <<
Physical Considerations
When Buying a Transmitter
While a lot of focus is spent on comparing specifications,
performance and efficiency when buying a new trans-
mitter, there are many physical attributes of modern
transmitter design that also deserve consideration. Scott
Marchand, Nautel’s FM Project Leader reviews the physi-
cal trade-offs of small vs. tall and rack-mountable vs. self-
standing integrated racks.
>> Read more <<
Tubes vs. Solid State
Back in the early 70’s broadcasters could access the first
commercially-available, high-power, solid-state radio
transmitters. Today, for the first time ever, reliable high
power, solid state is affordable with outputs of up to 88
KW. That means more power for digital and more power
for increased IBOC injection levels.
>> Download: Tubes vs. Solid State Fact Sheet <<
 Transmitter Tips ‘n Tricks Using Built-In Instrumentation and
Jeff Welton, Nautel Sales Manager for U.S. Central Region Control to Save Trips to the Transmitter Site
shares regular Tips ‘n Tricks to get the most out of your Built-in, commercial-grade instrumentation on your trans-
transmitters. mitter can provide information that would allow you to
be more proactive, diagnose and resolve issues faster,
Topics include: and ultimately avoid trips to the transmitter site achieving
■ grounding for lightning protection both time and financial savings.
■ why it’s necessary to HEAT the transmitter room
>> Watch an Overview of AUI Instrumentation <<
■ the need for annual hardware checks
■ air handling
■ how to make ‘roll your own’ carbon ball gaps
■ critter control
■ and more

Sign-up for the Nautel Waves Newsletter

KDKB – One of the First Stations in the Industry
to Implement PAPR
One of the first stations in the industry to implement PAPR
via Nautel’s HD PowerBoost™, KDKB is impressed with its
easy and straightforward implementation.
If you’d like to receive useful information like this on a reg-
ular basis, please sign up for the Nautel Waves newsletter.
It’s a bi-monthly update on products, news and events,
field reports, and tips and tricks for getting the most out of
your transmitter.

“I am favorably impressed by PowerBoost. The Nautel >> Sign-up for the Nautel Waves Newsletter Now <<
algorithm for peak-to-average-power ratio (PAPR) detec-
tion is ingenious. While introducing a smaller amount of
correction PowerBoost can achieve the maximum desired
HD peak power value with a lower degree of clipping
distortion in the signal. The end result is it makes HD
operation at injection levels greater than -20 dBc more
economically feasible for broadcasters. The proof is in the
spectrum analysis of the transmitted analog and HD sig-
nals.” – Clayton Creekmore, Chief Engineer.
For additional information, visit www.nautel.com
>> Read the full story << or call 1-877-662-8835

www.nautel.com
Advertisement
 What’s Up With HD Radio Power?
We ask users and manufacturers to
assess the digital power hike to date
By Paul mclane
U.S. FM stations won the ability about three years
ago to seek higher digital power injection levels. I asked
several people with experience in this area to comment
about the impact of the change to date. They represent
iBiquity Digital, Greater Media, Harris, Nautel and West
Virginia Radio Corp.
Russ munDsChenK
Field Test and implementation manager
iBiquity Digital Corp.
How would you characterize the success of the pow-
er increase in general?
Mundschenk: We are pleased with the positive trend
toward digital power increase. We have heard from
stations that have increased digital power and are im-
pressed with the improvement in HD Radio coverage
and building penetration. Other stations continue to
offer uninterrupted digital service using lower power
levels. We believe providing broadcasters with options
to tailor their HD Radio service to the local market
helps everyone.
Nationally, how many stations have increased pow-
er and what are their experiences?
Mundschenk: Hundreds of stations have already in-
creased their digital power and many more are includ-
ing it in their plans. Most broadcast groups have fo-
cused on raising their power and have developed capi-
tal strategies and schedules to ensure robust digital
10 Transmission Technology
‘Hundreds of stations have
already increased their digital
power and many more are
including it in their plans.’
broadcast coverage.
How much extra power is enough to make a real
difference in digital radio performance?
Mundschenk: Any power increase over 2 dB will ef-
fect discernible performance improvement. A 6 dB in-
crease from –20 dBc to –14 dBc effectively replicates
analog coverage to the radio horizon. Raising power to
–10 dBc additionally improves building penetration in
the primary coverage area.
What’s the outlook for asymmetric power levels,
and why is that important?
Mundschenk: Our broadcast equipment partners
are now offering commercial solutions for asymmet-
ric power increase that will enable stations to inde-
pendently adjust sideband power. These tools allow
broadcasters to meet the needs of their community
by raising power without affecting the station’s inter-
ference profile. We are confident the FCC will agree
with our conclusions and authorize broadcasters to use
asymmetric sidebands.
What else should readers know about implement-
ing higher FM digital power levels — problems to
avoid, or other considerations?
Mundschenk: As with any power increase, digital or
analog, broadcasters must recalculate the required
transmitter, transmission line and antenna size to ac-
commodate higher power levels. The peripheral facili-
ties must also deliver adequate primary AC power and
system cooling. The engineer should also budget for
the increased primary power cost.
Radio World eBook

ChRis moRan
Director of Technology
West Virginia Radio Corp.
Describe your operation and your experience with a
digital power increase.
Moran: We own and operate 29 radio stations through-
out West Virginia and Cumberland, Md., as well as the
MetroNews Radio Network. As a company, we were an
early adopter of HD FM, and currently have five FMs
operating in HD (WVAQ Morgantown, WDYK Cumber-
land, and WKWS, WVAF and WKAZ in Charleston).
Earlier this year we did a complete makeover of
WVAQ, replacing our old Harris FM20K analog trans-
mitter and our Z-series HD with high-level combining for
a new Harris HPX40 transmitter to take advantage of the
–10 dBc digital injection.
For us in Morgantown, W.Va., where terrain and mul-
‘Our only real concern
about the increased power
levels has been the additional
negative impact to the analog
carrier.’
Radio World eBook
tipath is a significant issue, we have seen a significant
improvement of our HD coverage with the increase to
–11 dBc injection, particularly on the fringe areas of our
analog coverage. In fact, the performance has been
very near the theoretical proposed coverage with the
changeover.
How many of your stations have increased their
digital power?
Moran: Only one of our stations has made this increase,
and only to –11 dBc at this point, awaiting a new soft-
ware release from iBiquity.
What is your view on the importance of approving
asymmetric power levels?
Moran: I think asymmetry has its merits, especially in
tight adjacent protection situations, but I haven’t stud-
ied it enough to speak much more into it.
What else should we know?
Moran: Our only real concern about the increased
power levels has been the additional negative impact
to the analog carrier. As the power of the sidebands is
increased, the shoulders of the HD sidebands are also
increased, and with that comes increased noise floor
that is audible on the analog carrier.
There are other things at play too, with additional har-
monics as the signal passes through amplifiers within
the transmitter, of which not all are Class A. Addition-
ally, more sideband power means a higher modulation
index, which in turn can result in more multipath inter-
ference evident on the analog side.
We are still evaluating the tradeoff to the analog car-
rier vs. the additional coverage of our HD content.
continued on page 12
More to Com e
Radio World eBooks explore trends and
“what’s next” in various segments of radio
station operations and new media man-
agement.
Coming soon: Audio Over IP Technology;
Audio Processing Technology; Audio
Coding & Codec Technology; and Mobile
Apps For Broadcasters.
Find Radio World eBooks
under the Resources tab
Sponsored by
at radioworld.com.
A Special eBook Supplement
to Radio World
Transmission Technology 11
 HD POWER, continued from page 12
milFoRD smiTh
Vice President, Radio engineering
Greater Media Inc.
Chairman
National Radio Systems Committee
How would you characterize the general success of
the power increase so far?
Smith: Technically, the ability to increase digital power
is an extremely significant and necessary enhancement
to IBOC digital transmission. It is critical for meeting lis-
tener expectations that the digital coverage will match
the familiar analogue.
Implementation wise, things have been going rela-
tively slowly. In many cases the costs associated with
upping digital power by as much as 10 dB (ten times)
are very significant, in some cases running into six fig-
ures. The high cost and the current economic situation
combine to make it difficult for many stations to fund
the needed improvements.
How many of your stations have increased digital
power and what are your experiences?
Smith: We have five of our FMs that have increased
digital power, three at approximately –14 dBc and sev-
eral others to values between –20 and –14 dBc taking
advantage of available headroom that was available in
their existing –20 dBc transmission systems. Any new
transmission systems we build are designed for –10 dBc
assuming the MP3 mode of operation.
‘In many cases the costs
associated with upping
digital power by as much as
10 dB (ten times) are very
significant.’
12 Transmission Technology
I can only speak to our own experiences; but any
meaningful increase in digital power extends the digital
service area, with the obvious ultimate goal to make the
analog and digital service areas at least equal. Increas-
ing power also solidifies the existing digital service area,
mitigating and eliminating dropouts and resultant ana-
log blending.
How much extra is enough to make a difference?
Smith: I think any extra digital power is worth doing;
it will improve coverage somewhere. In terms of an im-
provement that can be widely observed, 3 dB or more
is an approximate threshold. Our tests in Boston sev-
eral years ago showed that 6 dB, which is available to all
but grandfathered super-power stations, will result in a
close approximation of analog service in vehicles, and
the full 10 dB resulting in approximately equal building
penetration.
What is the outlook for asymmetric power levels?
Smith: My understanding is that the commission will
grant experimental authority to any station that may
choose to try asymmetrical IBOC operation. This is a
mode that I have personally strongly supported for
some time. It’s an important tool that enables each sta-
tion to absolutely maximize its digital coverage while
at the same time being kind to any short spaced first
adjacent-channel neighbors.
To date there have been few implementations, which
is probably a result of the cost factors involved in rais-
ing digital powers in general. I know Peter Doyle, chief
of the [FCC] Audio Division, is anxious to see more ex-
perimental data on this mode before possibly routinely
authorizing same.
What else should readers know?
Smith: Depending on the transmission scheme, typi-
cally with dual-feed antennas and possibly with some
separate antenna installations, the station may need
to add additional isolation in the analog signal path in
addition to that typically already present in the digital
signal path. At –20 dBc power levels and with typical an-
continued on page 14
Radio World eBook
 RF TECHNOLOGY – ENERGY
EFFICIENT TRANSMTTERS
By Mary Ann Seidler and John Bisset ELENOS US

H
igh electric costs have motivated one manufac-
turer, ELENOS, to lead the way in transmitter
energy efficiency. We’ll discuss how it’s done in
a moment, but first, engineers need to know how
to evaluate transmitter efficiency.
When someone says their transmitter is 80% efficient, you
must ask if this is the AC-to-RF efficiency. Some manufac-
turers list only the RF efficiency, which may be 80%. But
here’s the rest of the story. By evaluating the AC-to-RF effi-
ciency, you are taking into account the entire transmitter
performance – not just the RF performance.
This is important, because a transmitter
that is only 80% RF efficient may not
necessarily save you money on your
electric bill. To equally judge transmit-
ter efficiencies, you must look at the
AC-to-RF efficiency figure. The higher
this figure is, the better, and the more
efficient. Don’t be misled!
To assist customers, ELENOS and other manufacturers offer
an energy savings analysis. We get a copy of the station
electric bill, and determine what the cost savings will be
over a less efficient model transmitter. This information is
useful for engineers to demonstrate the bottom line savings
that an energy efficient transmitter can provide.
Depending on the model of the existing transmitter, and
the electric rate, it’s not uncommon for an energy efficient
transmitter to pay for itself in several years. Add to that sav-
ing the fact that with solid state, you aren’t buying tubes,
and the cost savings further increase.
ELENOS makes extensive use of Planar Technology, where-
by the MOSFET input, output, combining, and filtering
coils and capacitors are masked and etched on the printed
circuit board itself. This eliminates most physical coils and
capacitors that take up space in these networks, require
time to solder and align, and also contribute to heating. A
cooler operating transmitter saves energy, as there is less
waste heat.
ELENOS designed and now builds their own efficient
Switching Power Supply. This approach eliminates the
dependence on third-party companies, which may change
features, components, or specifications without notice.
By building their own supplies, the company has designed
a power supply expressly for the rugged broadcast environ-
ment. For example, the supply will handle a wide variation
of input voltages – it’s self-regulating. Gone are the straps
and jumpers for different voltage feeds. This feature helps
the transmitter endure brownouts.
The ELENOS supply will also tolerate short interruptions that
are very close to one another, which place a huge stress
on the inrush current limiter of traditional switching sup-
plies, and can be the cause of failures. By using a powerful
algorithm, the power supply is protected against any kind of
energy burst caused by those brief interruptions.

The United States is now seeing a rapid rise in the cost of elec-
tricity. Energy efficiency is now an important criteria when
selecting a transmitter. Ten years ago, ELENOS embarked on
a new design strategy, using a multi-faceted approach, saving
customers’ money on their operating expense.
The ELENOS supply continuously communicates a variety of
operating parameters with the transmitter controller. This
permits the supply voltage to be continuously regulated
according to actual conditions in the field.

ELENOS depends on the use of a microprocessor to vary

both the current and voltage of the MOSFET RF devices.
Traditional designs vary only one or the other of these
parameters. This design, combined with SMD (surface The result has been construction of a line of transmitters
mount devices,) provides a compact layout, which with a 74% and higher AC-to-RF efficiency. As electrical
reduced component heating. costs increase in this country, engineers will need to con-
sider “green” initiatives such as the ELENOS Indium
Because both the current and voltage can be var- series.
ied in the ELENOS product, components are not
operated at the upper limits of their specifica-
tions, meaning cooler operation. This saves on
cooling expense, and also means longer life.

www.elenos.com
Advertisement
 HD POWER, continued from page 12
tenna isolation, one can usually “make the mask” with a
circulator or similar added to just the digital transmitter.
At higher digital power levels and thus higher levels of
leak back of the digital signal into the analog PA, more
isolation on that side of the house may be necessary.
Again, typically a circulator.
Another approach is to revert to a single-feed system
and utilize the ERI 788 all-pass combiner (or any similar
product) to achieve the necessary isolation and combin-
ing function. Low-level combining also works, albeit at
some ongoing penalty in AC power consumption. High-
level combining is not really practical at appreciably el-
evated digital power levels.
One more gotcha: If you are now or are contemplat-
ing operation in one of the “extended hybrid” modes
during the lifetime of the transmission plant, be sure
to factor in the additional digital power requirement
imposed by extended hybrid operation (e.g., approxi-
mately .8 dB in the MP3 mode).
Photo by Jim Peck
GeoFF menDenhall
Vice President of Transmission
Research & Technology
Harris Broadcast Systems
Characterize the success of higher power, so far.
Mendenhall: Reasonably successful, with the majority
of the larger broadcast group owners making a commit-
ment to increase power as soon as feasible. Harris has
been selling a lot of transmission equipment to broad-
casters who have either already increased HD power or
are in the process of upgrading HD power.
How many of your users have increased digital
power, and to what levels?
Mendenhall: Our Tim Anderson reports that we have
certainly seen customer interest in increasing power
and an uptick in facility upgrades to accommodate.
Some customers have made significant investment in
transmitters, antennas and other facility upgrades. Oth-
14 Transmission Technology
ers have optimized their existing systems to get to the
maximum HD Radio power they can squeeze out.
We estimate 30 to 35 percent have increased power,
most to –14 dBc.
How much extra digital power is enough to make a
difference?
Mendenhall: Any increase in HD sideband power is
desirable and helps. Most stations are increasing HD
power by 6 dB (four times) to the –14 dBc level, and this
makes a noticeable improvement in coverage. Some
stations are able to raise HD power by 10 dB (10 times),
and this typically increases the digital coverage out to
the fringe of the analog coverage.
What is the outlook for asymmetric power levels?
Mendenhall: Harris has been offering asymmetrical HD
sidebands for more than a year, and some stations have
gotten authorization to test it. The compatibility and
coverage improvement have been verified in field tests.
This is an important technology for stations that would
ordinarily be limited to a 6 dB increase to maximize HD
coverage by increasing power on one sideband up to
10 dB, when the interference protection ratio for that
station is not the same above and below the operat-
ing channel. I think stations will use this technology to
maximize HD coverage without violating interference
protection limits.
Anything else we should know?
Mendenhall: There are several ways to increase HD
sideband power, and some are more cost-effective than
others. The most efficient way will depend on the cur-
rent transmission equipment configuration. Harris sales
and application engineers can help the station engineer
analyze the current system configuration and offer so-
lutions that maximize reuse of existing equipment to
minimize the cost and disruption to upgrade HD radio
transmission facilities.
‘Most stations are
increasing HD power by
6 dB (four times) to the
–14 dBc level, and this
makes a noticeable
improvement in coverage.’
Radio World eBook

GaRy lieBisCh
eastern Regional sales manager
Nautel Ltd.
How many customers have increased power and
what have their experiences been?
Liebisch: Many customers have implemented increas-
es in the larger cities and are pleased with the results.
They are buying for –10 even if they can only go to –14
at this point.
What we also notice is that more customers who
are upgrading (analog) transmitters for first-time HD
Radio go right to –14 dBc and not to –20 dBc. Those
that were already running HD Radio and implement-
ed a “power increase only” are a minority of the HD
Radio user base. Power increases tend to come with
other upgrades done for other reasons requiring a new
transmitter. Since we are now at the 10-year point for
early adopters, some of those transmitters are gradu-
ally migrating to backup service, with the new trans-
mitter designed to take advantage of the increased
digital power.
How much extra digital power is enough to make
a difference?
Liebisch: Generally in the range of –14 to –10 dBc. It’s
an incremental benefit; 2 to 3 dB steps become notice-
able, i.e. –17 is better than –20 dBc, and –14 dBc is no-
ticeably better than –17 dBc. It can vary considerably
from one site to the next.
How important is approving asymmetric digital
power levels?
Liebisch: Asymmetrical power approval is important,
particularly for stations to achieve better building
penetration with their digital signals. And there is no
downside. It can usually be achieved with the same
transmitter and hardware, and it has been adequately
established that there is not an adjacent channel in-
terference issue. The FCC has promised action on it.
Also see the free IBOC sideband calculator example
available at our website.
Radio World eBook
‘Since we are now at
the 10-year point for early
adopters, some of those
transmitters are gradually
migrating to backup service,
with the new transmitter
designed to take advantage of
the increased digital power.’
What else should readers know about implement-
ing higher FM digital power levels?
Liebisch: Stations planning to increase power levels
should understand that each 2 dB step will cost incre-
mentally more than the previous 2 dB steps, and that
often the most cost-effective operating point may not
necessarily be at the –14 dBc or –10 dBc limits.
Because absolute digital power is not a licensed val-
ue, each station may choose their own operating point
based on the break points for the next larger transmit-
ter. Often just 1 dB lower may save thousands, so mul-
tiple configurations should be considered. Also, a digi-
tal power increase can simultaneously upgrade older,
less efficient, and less reliable hardware and software.
Ninety-eight percent are implementing a single-
transmitter solution for hybrid operation at increased
power levels. Any type of combining of two transmit-
ters is very unpopular.
We should mention also that Nautel got out in front
of the higher injection level and asymmetrical side-
band movement by developing HD PowerBoost. The
solution has been well received and now dozens of
broadcasters are using HD PowerBoost to achieve
higher injection levels from a given transmitter and /
or implementing asymmetrical sidebands and gaining
higher power efficiency at the same time. HD Power-
Boost is available for Nautel NV Series and VS Series
FM transmitters.
Comment on this or any story. Email radioworld@
nbmedia.com with “Letter to the Editor” in the subject
field.
Transmission Technology 15
 In Search of Efficiency, 1% at a Time
How have designers accomplished
more, and what can we expect
in the future?
By sTePhen m. Poole
Everyone wants to be “greener” nowadays, whether
out of concern for the environment or just to stretch the
money as far as possible. But historically, AM and FM
broadcasters haven’t paid a great deal of attention to
transmitter efficiency.
Mary Ann Seidler, U.S. sales director for transmitter
manufacturer Elenos, says, “Until recently, when I talked
to U.S. broadcasters, a lot of them didn’t care about
energy costs. That is changing — and it seems to be
changing quickly.”
With tighter budgets becoming the norm, I want
to take a look at this. Many of the numbers used here
came from an excellent study “Power Efficient Broadcast
Transmission Facility Design” by Cavell, Mertz and Asso-
ciates Inc., available at the website of NAB’s technology
advocacy program FASTROAD, www.nabfastroad.org.
The study finds that many of the latest transmitters
are already very efficient. How have the designers done
this and what can we expect in the future? I asked sev-
eral manufacturers; all said that incremental improve-
ments have been the norm in transmitter design, espe-
cially for VHF FM.
am and mDCl
I’ll start with a look at traditional analog AM and FM,
then cover HD Radio transmission.
The FASTROAD study devotes a couple of pages to
in the early days, if it ran hot, you simply improved the cooling! This is the (in)famous cooling pond at
WlW(am) in ohio.
16 Transmission Technology
Modulation Dependent Carrier Level. Radio World has
covered MDCL thoroughly; for instance see an article
by my boss, Cris Alexander, “MDCL Operation Is a Win-
ner for High-Power AM,” so I don’t need to spend much
time on it here.
Many manufacturers now offer MDCL. We use Nautel
products at our AM facilities; there is an upgrade for
their older transmitters, and the new NX series comes
with it built in, ready to go. John Whyte, Nautel’s mar-
keting manager, says his company is proud to offer this
option. “We’re pretty darn passionate about efficiency.”
In our case, MDCL did indeed make a dramatic dif-
ference overnight (over 30 percent savings at some of
our stations). But this is actually not a new technology;
international broadcasters have used MDCL for years. It
has only recently become available for broadcast AM,
and you must request an FCC waiver before you can use
it. The good news is that the FCC will normally grant it
quickly.
a brief history
The bottom line is that your transmitter takes AC from
the utility and converts it to RF. Obviously, you’d like
for it to do this with 100 percent efficiency. In the real
world, how close can we get to that ideal?
The first tube designs were quite inefficient. If you
could get 20–30 percent from AC to RF, you were do-
ing well. For AM, Pulse Width Modulation was arguably
the biggest “game changer,” dramatically improving
efficiency. Numbers greater than 90 percent are quite
common with the latest designs.
Long after AM transmitters had converted to all sol-
id-state, FM continued to use tubes, because it simply
wasn’t possible to get the same efficiency otherwise.
Courtesy Jeff Welton/Nautel
Radio World eBook
 Continental continues to sell its vener-
able 816-R series, a single-tube design that
has been steadily improved over the years.
It offers an overall AC-to-RF efficiency in
the 60–70 percent range. “Even when you
include the power for the filaments and
blower, these are efficient transmitters,”
says Richard Garrett, field service manager
for Continental. “When adjusted properly,
the PA stage is over 80 percent efficient.”
When talking about the total cost of own-
ership, Garrett adds that it’s tried-and-true
technology, well understood and easily ser-
viced in the field.
The FASTROAD study notes that there
is no marked difference between the lat-
est tube and solid-state transmitters as of
its writing in 2011. That may be changing,
however, and there’s another benefit: Unit
sizes are shrinking as well.
smaller and more energy efficient Planar and surface-mount technology make for greater efficiency.
The poster child for this is Elenos, an Ital- note the size of the heat sink on the larger, older unit.
ian company that makes small, extremely
efficient (typically 74 percent, AC to RF) solid-state FM
transmitters.
John Bissett is U.S. director of technology and educa-
tion. He explained to me why Elenos decided to focus
on this about 10 years ago. “Electrical costs in Italy are
much higher than in the U.S.,” he said, “though the U.S.
is catching up!”
Again there is no one single thing that results in a
more efficient FM transmitter. Echoing what other man-
ufacturers told me, he said incremental improvements
have made the difference. Bissett says that their trans-
mitters use microprocessor control and more efficient
devices. One additional refinement (and the primary
reason Elenos can cram more power into less space) is
the extensive use of Surface Mount (SMD) and planar
technology.
Harris also makes an argument for smaller, more ef-
ficient transmitters. I spoke with Rich Redmond, vice
president of product management and strategy. “We
don’t just sell transmitters, we work with people to im-
prove their bottom line across the board,” he said. He
points out that the Harris 10 kW Flexiva FM transmitter
only requires 16 rack spaces, leaving plenty of room for
processing, remote control and other equipment.
How are these manufacturers making transmitters
smaller? How are they able to get such high efficiency
out of solid-state amplifiers?
improvements
As an analogy, think of the new Boeing Dreamliner,
which uses 20 percent less fuel than the older 767.
There’s no one single thing that you can point to as the
“game changer.” The use of lightweight composite ma-
terials and improved engines work together for higher
efficiency. The same rule applies to transmitters.
John Whyte sent me a study done by Nautel’s Eti-
Radio World eBook
Courtesy John Bisset/Elenos
enne Guimont. Their research has shown that a few key
areas provide the most “bang for the buck”: the PA
stage, the PA power supply and the combining/filtering
networks. Addressing these will provide incremental
improvements, adding up to significant overall savings
in energy costs.
Redmond of Harris said correcting for equipment with
a low power factor (such as large, inductive motors) has
been a big deal in heavy industry for years. Many electri-
cal utilities charge higher rates for large users with a pow-
er factor less than 90–95 percent. Those of us in broad-
casting might want to keep an eye on this against the day
that the utilities redefine just what a “large user” is.
Each manufacturer does things a bit differently, of
course; but I was struck by the fact that all of them men-
tioned the following improvements when discussing
how they had achieved higher efficiency:
Better Devices. The best example is the switch from
older VDMOS to the latest LDMOS transistors. A solid-
state transmitter uses many devices, with the outputs
combined to get the needed power level. A small in-
crease in efficiency at each MOSFET can result in sub-
stantial overall savings.
Guimont says, “Nautel was achieving PA DC-RF ef-
ficiencies on the order of 80 percent with VDMOS near
350W per device. With LDMOS, this efficiency has
reached greater than 86 percent at 800W per device.”
The net result is more efficiency, lower component
count and a smaller transmitter size. All of the manufac-
turers who use these devices report that they are also
much better at dissipating heat.
Redmond confirms similar figures for Harris. “LDMOS
devices also have higher gain, requiring less drive,” he
said. This further reduces overall power consumption.
continued on page 18
Transmission Technology 17
 This chart of transmitter efficiencies for sample Fm analog transmitters is from the report ‘Power efficient
Broadcast Transmission Facility Design’ by Cavell, mertz and associates, available at www.nabfastroad.org.
The authors ranked 43 transmitters manufactured by seven companies, operating in analog mode, and reported
an average efficiency of 62.4%. They support the concept of a ‘Transmitter energy efficiency award’ for those
with efficiency score of 67% or better (shown in green). Their report also explored samples of Fm transmitters
capable of hybrid analog/digital operation and of digital Fm transmitters.

EFFICIENCY, continued from page 17
Better Control. A comparison could be made to high-
mileage automobiles. A host of small refinements, with
constant monitoring by embedded processors, results
in greater fuel efficiency. The same principle can be ap-
plied to an AM or FM transmitter.
Redmond noted that MOSFETs have “sweet spots,” a
range of applied voltages and currents that will produce
the best result. Microprocessors constantly monitor ev-
erything, making small adjustments here and there for
the most efficient operation.
“We’ve applied [to AM and FM] many of the same
techniques that we’ve used in our digital TV transmit-
ters,” says Redmond. “A UHF transmitter does quite
well to get 20 percent efficiency, AC to RF, so these re-
finements are especially critical there.”
Bissett adds, “The use of a microprocessor to vary
both the current and voltage of the MOSFET RF de-
vices, combined with SMD (surface mount), means that
components are not operated at their upper limits.” This
results in cooler (and thus, more efficient) operation.
Improved control even extends to the cooling fans.
Older transmitters simply ran the fans or blowers wide
open around the clock. Newer designs with micropro-
cessor control can dial in just the right amount of cool-
ing to meet demand, further lower electrical demand.
Better Power Supplies. I’ve mentioned power factor.
Making these as efficient as possible is another way to
improve efficiency. In the old days, a typical transmitter
simply used a big transformer with a rectifier stack and
filtering. The more efficient designs invariably use switch-
ing power supply. All of the manufacturers stated that
this, too, is closely controlled by the microprocessor.
hD Radio transmission
The FASTROAD study that I mentioned at the begin-
ning of this article confirms what most of us suspect-
ed: AM efficiency is about the same, whether running
in pure analog or HD. The system must be a bit more
broadband, but power consumption isn’t greatly affect-
ed on a well-designed transmitter.
This is emphatically not the case with FM HD, however.
There are a number of different ways to do FM HD:
separate HD transmitter, One Big “Hybrid” (FM+HD)
transmitter, etc. Each approach has strengths and weak-
nesses. This has been covered in detail elsewhere and I
won’t get into it here; work closely with your equipment
vendor for the most cost-effective solution.
But when talking about HD and efficiency, the prob-
lem is simple: The HD signal must be amplified linearly.
It cannot be applied to the usual Class C amplifier. The
continued on page 20

18 Transmission Technology Radio World eBook

 Broadcast Electronics STX LP 1-5 kW FM Transmitters
ENGINEERED TO EXCEED EXPECTATIONS
J
ust a few years ago, the STX LP line of low power
transmitters was introduced to provide the best
value of FM transmitters from 1-5 kW. Now the STX
LP Series is even BETTER!
This 2nd Generation STX LP now includes the following
enhancements to provide more options and more value!
■ Integrated DIGITAL Exciter
■ Improved Audio Performance equal to the
Legendary FXi Series Audio Specifications
■ Improved AC to RF Efficiency
■ SNMP Level 3 Control
■ HD Compatibility
■ Quieter Fans
■ Fan Mute Option in Main/Alternate or
N+1 Configurations
If you are looking for exciter redundancy, the STX LP now
has more options. At all power levels an external version
of the integrated internal exciter can be added. For 2 kW
– 5 kW versions, an additional second controller/PA sec-
tion can be included for ultimate control, redundancy,
and flexibility.
Advertisement
DESIGNED TO LAST:
The truly scalable design accommodates both current
and future system configurations, including main/alter-
nate, FM booster, and N+1 applications ensuring your
purchase today will meet your needs tomorrow. And if
you need more power in the future, the STX LP can scale
up in power with the addition of PA units and the appro-
priate STX LP splitter/combiner. As your station’s needs
change, so can your transmitter, saving you money on
costly system upgrades.
KEY FEATURES & BENEFITS
■ Standard integrated digital exciter
■ External input for use with optional external
exciter
■ Availability in 1 kW, 2kW, 3 kW, and 5 kW versions
■ Front panel control and metering via LCD
interface
■ Redundant fan design for extended system
reliability
■ IP connectivity for anytime, anywhere access
■ Add-on power amplifier units can be removed and
replaced without interruption to the on air signal
■ Internal low pass filter
■ Built-in emergency backup controller for on air
redundancy
■ Composite input with 2 SCA ports and 1 RDS port
■ Stereo generator for additional input options
■ Designed for reliability and serviceability
■ Quick and easy setup
■ Power Distribution Panel for quick and easy
installation
■ Optional SNMP Level 3 Control
■ Multiple redundant exciter options
The new STX series offers a better combination of per-
formance, flexibility, reliability and value than any other
transmitter in its class you can buy. Call your BE Sales
Manager or visit us on the web at www.bdcast.com.
http://www.bdcast.com

COMBINING, continued from page 7
on the HD2s. We have fewer dropouts while driving;
the experience is equal to or better than listening to
analog now.”
Various engineers have voiced concerned that
some models of analog receivers will produce re-
sidual background noise and hiss on analog recep-
tion with HD at elevated levels approaching –10
dBc. Rice has not yet noticed any such degradation.
“On the models we have tested we haven’t seen
any noise in the analog signal and haven’t had any
complaints so far. WIL at –10 dBc is a music station
and is fairly heavily processed so the noise should
be masked if it exists. WXOS is a sports talk station
so I assume any noise would be significantly more
noticeable,” says Rice. He agrees that there should
be more testing to measure the impact the higher
HD power levels will have on the popular models of
radios now being used.
Since the Hubbard St. Louis installations, two
more 788 systems are being installed as of this writ-
ing in Seattle and Baltimore. ERI reports several
others are on order. “The 788 design is under con-
tinuous refinement and improvement,” says ERI’s
Robert Rose. “Transporting a pretuned 788 across
the country and into transmitter sites over bad
roads can detune the resonant cavities,” says Rose.
“The retuning process can be quite tedious. We are
now implementing a more mechanically rigid tuned
cavity design for all new 788 systems.”
Bill Harland added, “We recently increased the
power handling specifications for all models of the
788, based on the lower insertion losses in the ini-
tial production units built. ERI is always reviewing
its product designs in an ongoing effort to improve
component and system performance.”
Tom McGinley is technical advisor to Radio World.
Email: radioworld@nbmedia.com
Website: www.radioworld.com
Telephone: (703) 852-4600
Business Fax: (703) 852-4582 | Editorial Fax: (703) 852-4585
Editorial Staff
Editor in ChiEf, U.S. Paul J. McLane
nEwS Editor/waSh. BUrEaU ChiEf Leslie Stimson
GEar & tEChnoLoGy Editor Brett Moss
U.S. aSSoCiatE Editor alexis hauk
intErnationaL Editor in ChiEf Marguerite Clark
Latin aMEriCa Editor in ChiEf rogelio ocampo
Latin aMEriCa Editor Karina Gerardi
tEChniCaL Editor Michael LeClair
tEChniCaL adviSor tom McGinley
EditoriaL aSSiStant Emily reigart
adminiStration & Production
PUBLiShEr John Casey
EditoriaL dirECtor Paul J. McLane
ProdUCtion dirECtor davis white
ProdUCtion PUBLiCation Coordinator Karen Lee
advErtiSinG Coordinator Caroline freeland
20 Transmission Technology
EFFICIENCY, continued from page 18
PA must be biased for more linear operation, which in-
evitably results in lower efficiency.
To help improve things, the better solid-state designs
use adaptive pre-correction to drive the PA stage. Har-
ris calls its implementation Real-Time Adaptive Correc-
tion, or RTAC (a registered trademark). Nautel uses a
similar approach. Basically, these methods “pre-distort”
the signal, allowing the transmitter to run closer to Class
C efficiency while still obtaining a linear output.
summary
There is no one single “killer app” that will make
transmitters vastly more efficient, though MDCL for
high-powered AM comes close. The manufacturers
contacted for this article use a number of different re-
finements and incremental improvements to achieve
better AC-to-RF efficiency.
The FASTROAD study proposes energy ratings for
transmitters, similar to the SEER and Energy Star rat-
ings currently used for HVAC and appliances. No one
expects the cost of electricity to drop in the years to
come, so something like this might be a good idea.
Can you justify buying a new transmitter solely on the
basis of lower electrical bills? If you have an old, inef-
ficient transmitter, the answer is definitely “yes.” If you
have a newer transmitter, it depends. But with rising util-
ity costs, you may find that you’re tipping toward “yes,”
especially if you’re planning for the long term.
To give you an idea, Whyte at Nautel sent me some
calculations based on AC-to-RF efficiencies of 62 percent
vs. 72 percent. Using 10 cents per kilowatt hour as the
basis, the more efficient 40 kW transmitter would save
$7,849 per year — or almost $80,000 in 10 years. And
that’s assuming that electrical rates remain the same.
Being “green” is not only good for the environment, it
can save some real money.
The author is market chief engineer for Crawford
Broadcasting, Alabama.
advErtiSing SalES rEPrESEntativES
US EaSt: John Casey
jcasey@nbmedia.com radio world founded by Stevan B. dana
t: 212-378-0400, ext. 512 | f: 330-247-128
US wESt & Canada: david Carson radio world (iSSn: 0274-8541) is published
dcarson@nbmedia.com bi-weekly with additional issues in february,
t: 212-378-0400, ext. 511 | f: 866-572-6156 april, June, august, october and december
EUroPE, MiddLE EaSt & afriCa: by newBay Media, LLC, 28 East 28th
raffaella Calabrese Street, 12th floor, new york, ny 10016.
rcalabrese@broadcast.it Phone: (703) 852-4600, fax: (703) 852-
t: +39-02-92884940 | f: +39-02-700436999 4582. Periodicals postage rates are paid
Latin aMEriCa: Susana Saibene at new york, ny 10079 and additional
susana.saibene@gmail.com mailing offices. PoStMaStEr: Send address
t: +34-607-31-40-71 changes to radio world, P.o. Box 282,
JaPan: Eiji yoshikawa Lowell, Ma 01853. for custom reprints
callems@world.odn.ne.jp & eprints please contact our reprints
coordinator at wright’s Media: 877-652-
t: +81-3-3327-5759 | f: +81-3-3322-7933
5295 or newBay@wrightsmedia.com.
aSia-PaCifiC: wengong wang
wwg@imaschina.com
Copyright 2012 by newBay Media, LLC.
t: +86-755-83862930/40/50 | f: +86-755-83862920
all rights reserved.
CLaSSifiEdS: david Carson
Printed in the USa
dcarson@nbmedia.com
t: 212-378-0400, ext. 511 | f: 866-572-6156
Globe graphic © iStockphoto.com /
Edward Grajeda
Radio World eBook